Thousands Died In UK Just After Being Found 'Fit To Work'

Almost 90 Britons every month are dying just after having been declared "fit for work", reveals data that has inspired Labour leaders to call for an "overhaul of the government's welfare regime", according to theguardian.

Statistics released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on Thursday revealed that 2,380 people died between December 2011 and February 2014 just 14 days after they were removed from employment and support allowance (ESA), even as work capability assessment (WCA) decided that they could work.

Initially, the Department for Work and Pensions tried to conceal the information for months, with the "chief minister Iain Duncan Smith at one point telling Parliament they did not exist," according to theindependent.

Discussions are raging over the issue, and the focus is thus on the government's fit-for-work assessment process.

Anita Bellows, researcher with campaign group Disabled People Against the Cuts, said it would take a long time to assess the entire issue, yet the group was "very worried by the number of people who died within two weeks of being found fit for work".

The mortality data was gathered in order to respond to the freedom of information requests, and was released after a ruling by the Information Commissioner's Office in April.

The WCA, has been called "error-prone and mechanistic, often causing harm to the sick and disabled claimants who are obliged to undergo it."

However, the DWP defended the WCA and said that the information has not showed any "causal effect" between benefits and mortality. It said: "These isolated figures provide limited scope for analysis, and nothing can be gained from this publication that would allow the reader to form any judgment as to the effects or impacts of the WCA."

Campaigners agree that the data presented should be analysed deeper. Tom Pollard, policy and campaigns manager at mental health charity Mind, said that it is not easy to assess the statistics as they only showed the number of people who have died while on ESA, but left out the circumstances or details of the deaths.

He added: "Nevertheless, we do have serious concerns about the benefit system, particularly for those with mental health problems currently being supported by ESA.

"We desperately need to see an overhaul of the system, with more tailored specialised support for people with mental health problems and less focus on pressuring people into work and stopping their benefits."

The TUC general secretary, Frances O'Grady, said: "We urgently need an inquiry into the government's back-to-work regime. These disturbing findings cannot be swept under the carpet. We need a welfare system that supports people to find decent jobs, not one that causes stress and ill health."